Born in Chauny, France, on November 6, 1962, Martial Gayant was a former French road and cyclocross cyclist. Beginning his cycling career as an amateur in 1981, he won two French time trials, the Grand Prix des Nations (amateur version), and Chrono Madeleinois. The next year, he joined the French cycling team Renault-Elf-Gitane and rode with Tour de France and Giro d’Italia champion Bernard Hinault.
In 1983, Gayant moved his attention to cyclocross racing, where he won the French national title and competed in the Cyclocross World Championships from 1983 to 1986. In 1986, the same year he won his second national cross-country championship, he placed fifth, which was his best finish. Gayant continued to compete in road races, and in 1984, he won a stage of the Giro d’Italia and placed fourteenth overall.
Gayant has participated five times in the Tour de France. In 1989, he ended in 32nd position, which was his best performance. Moreover, he won a stage in the 1987 Tour de France, wore the yellow jersey for two stages, and placed 34th overall. 1988 was the year when Gayant finished second at the Road World Championships. In 1992, due to a back ailment, he retired from professional riding.
Gayant became the sports director for the French cycling team FDJ-Big Mat in 2003, following the conclusion of his racing career.
The following are Martial Gayant’s most notable accomplishments:
| Year | Victory |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Grand Prix des Nations |
| 1983 | French Cyclocross National Championship |
| 1984 | Stage win, Giro d’Italia |
| 1985 | Paris-Camembert |
| 1986 | French Cyclocross National Championship |
| Grand Prix Ouest France | |
| 1987 | Stage win, Tour de France |
| 1989 | Grand Prix de Fourmies |
| 1990 | Tour du Limousin |
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